South Dundas getting set to appeal the Ministry’s SDG official plan decision

MORRISBURG – With the deadline for appeal fast approaching, Municipality of South Dundas staff have asked council to authorize them to appeal the Ministry of Municipal Affairs decision with respect to the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry official plan.

Donald Lewis, director of planning and enforcement for South Dundas, recommended at the February 20 council meeting that South Dundas appeal the ministry decision, “in order to protect the municipality and our resident’s interests.”

According to the report, many parcels of properties located south of Highway 401, which in 2006 was identified as a development corridor and considered to be a growth area have been designated by the ministry as agriculture resource lands, which would limit development. “Several of these parcels are planned for future development activities,” said Lewis.

Also many lands have been changed from rural district to agriculture resource lands or from agriculture resource lands to rural district, without consultation with property owners.

These designations changes do have an impact on land severances.

Each municipality in SDG will likely file its own appeal. The appeal period expires February 27.